Chapter One: Hinata's Choice


She was lying in her bed. Two days had passed since she woke up. She was all too much confused. First of all she doesn't know how she got into this condition. And no one was there to tell her what happened.

That night Hinata could not sleep. She left her room wearing her yukata and a very heavy coat for it was very cold outside. She slipped into her slippers and went outside. A strong gust of wind passed by, she shivered. Her extremely long hair flowed like deep rivers. She went wherever her feet took her. Then finally she came to the training grounds. She felt her mind spin in the darkness. A sad song played very slowly.

She looked at a log that was standing very tall. She placed her hand on it and closed her eyes. Suddenly she used her palms and striked hard at it. It shook and her palm made a mark on the log.

'Not strong enough. Keep training!' A deep male voice shouted at her.

"Who's there?" Hinata activated her Byakugan, but no one was there.

Then she decided to go east side, then decided to take a left and crossed a bridge.

Suddenly she was back again at the manor except that she was at the back part of it. She saw gravestones, the grave courtyard. Here all Hyuuga's that had passed away are buried. She walked towards the gravestone of her deceased mother. The wind hollowed, she found herself shivering due to the coldness. She embraced herself to create little warmth.

Then something caught her eyes. Besides her beloved mother's gravestone she noticed another one beside it. It wasn't there before. She bent down to read what it said.

Hyuuga Hiashi.


Hyuuga Hiashi, dead. Her father is dead.

She wanted to cry but her eyes were out of tears since she cried for almost two days. She would only stop when she cannot cry any longer and at times when she needed to sleep. It was strange… Had she known it beforehand… before her awakening from the deep sleep?

Hinata walked back towards the insides of the manor. She realized how dark it was. The she walked towards her father's office. It was empty let alone the furniture that was covered with white sheets. The windows banged, the wind was extremely angry.

She felt someone touch the back of her neck. A shiver went down her spine.

Hinata screamed but a squeak came out instead.

"What are you doing here?" The voice said.

Hinata was Hyuuga and Hyuugas have Byakugans. She saw that the one behind her was Neji. She shouldn't have made assumptions…

Then a female voice asked, "What happened? Neji-niisan? Hinata-neesan?"

"N-Neji!" Hinata stuttered. "I thought you were…" She was going to say father but she said, "-a ghost."

"Hinata… I know that you know." Neji stated. "There's no sense in hiding it. We all know he's gone. You're the only one who doesn't."

"Neji-niisan, shall we all talk?" Hanabi offered.

Neji paused and answered, "Agreed."


Ms. Kurenai, Kiba and Shino all went to the Hyuuga mansion to visit a former teammate.

How long has it been?

"Good morning!" They greeted Hinata.

Shino brought her flowers. Yuhi brought her fruits, a nutritious snack. And also Kiba who brought his smile and laughter.

"I'm sorry I didn't bring any thing." Kiba apologized.

"It's okay your presence is enough." Hinata smiled at him.

"Oh before I forget Kiyuri wanted to give this to you." Kiba handed Hinata a letter. "She said that please write to her as soon as possible."

"Hinata I'm very happy that you are well once again." It was evident on Ms. Kurenai's face.

"I agree." Shino said trying to smile.

"Are you… trying to cry?" Kiba told Shino.

"I'm not I'm trying to be –happy." Shino hits Kiba on the head quickly.

"Yeah…" Kiba rubs his head. "Happy."

Hinata smiled at them. It was nice to know that Shino is trying to express... emotions.

"So do you want an apple?" Ms. Kurenai offered Hinata. "You should eat nutritious food to regain your strength."

"Yup after all –" Kiba takes a bite on one of the apples. "You're gonna be head of the Hyuu – Owww!"

Kiba received another blow on the head from Shino. "She doesn't know that, yet."

"No, no it's okay. I already know about it." Hinata declared.

"Really! You know!" Kiba said then glared at Shino. "She knows."

"So what are your plans?" Shino asked.

"Yeah, I'd like us to get together sometime." Akamaru barked outside after Kiba said that. "Quiet Akamaru you don't want to alarm the whole compound."

"Wow Akamaru has really grown…" Hinata looked outside. "Oh… Oh about getting together yes I would like to."

"No that's not what I meant." Shino stated, implying that he wanted to know about her plans on taking on the position her father left her.

Hinata understood. Since the talk last night she couldn't think of anything else but how to lead this clan. She looked away from the group and thought about what Neji said. Well for one he said to her that it would be best if she stops being a kunoichi for now or maybe forever. Forever… To leave all her hardships like that, never. But it was her clan, no their clan that Neji is talking about and Hinata decided that Neji's opinion was right.

"Hinata." Ms. Kurenai mentioned her name. She knew how her former student is lost in thought. It was funny that even though it has been a long time… Hinata was still Hinata. "Are you -"

"Sure I'm fine!" She smiled a fake one. Hinata contemplated whether she would tell them or not. She felt that she wanted them to know but then again if she told them… She knew that somehow they would talk her out of it. She decided to keep it to herself. After all, this was an issue only for the clan or maybe only for herself.

After that she said nothing more. Most of the time she was spaced out or pretended to laugh at Kiba's stories.

Shino felt guilty he shouldn't have asked about that. Since when did he become so nosy? It must've the three years training without Hinata and with Kiba. He decided to keep his guilt hidden from the group. He should try to be happy, whatever that means. A lively atmosphere is what this girl needs for a change, she's been thru very hard times.

Neji walked right in. "Ms. Kurenai, Shino, Kiba." He greeted them. "I'm sorry but you have to leave she needs rest."

"Yes she should. It's been an hour already and I think we should take Neji's advice, okay team?" Kurenai instructed her team to leave and they left.

After they left Hinata approached Neji. "I don't think I can do it… "

Neji was silent.

"I could try but in the end it will all be futile. I'm not capable to become –"

"Enough." Neji cut her off.

"B-but Neji I can't… You should become head… you're better than me. And I'm sure the family would rather pick you than me…" Hinata said offering Neji the position.

"That's what wrong with you. You listen way too much to what the other family members tell you." Neji placed both his hands on her shoulders. "As much as I want that position I can't take it, that's what fate decided. I have no right to step in and be the leader of this clan. It is you. This is your destiny. It is inevitable. It is you that the kamis picked…" He then removed his forehead protector to reveal his cursed branch family seal. "It is you that the kamis picked to be the eldest daughter of Hiashi. His father passed his torch on to him not my father. And your father passed the torch to you not to me."

"Neji…" Hinata was tongue-tied she wanted to tell him everything. "I'm sorry but I'm just so…"

"Weak. Yes you are weak." Neji shook her. "Are you really that or are you just stupid? Couldn't you comprehend what I am saying? We've talked about this last night!"

Hot tears formed at the sides of her eyes. "I'm sorry I just… I don't want to let all of you down! I don't want to let father and mother down..."

"How could you say that have you even tried to lead our clan? Just try and be the leader for once… You've always been the follower… And to tell you the truth I-I think that you could manage somehow… So why won't you try, if you want you could try it for at least six months or so. That's all we ask from you… When you were gone I was the one who they all turned to, it wasn't hard, and I promise that."

"Six months or so?"

"Yes after you fully recovered. And if this plan does not work Hanabi or I will gladly take your place."

"I think I could do it… for six months…" Hinata stared at her cousin his facial expression went from furious then to somewhat calm.


The Hyuuga sisters sat on the grass covered training grounds. They were enjoying the scenery of the lake before them.

Hanabi just finished training with her team. She was really hungry, good thing that Hinata brought her something to eat.

It has been several days since the talk with Neji.

"Six months, huh?" Hanabi started the conversation.

"Yes six months I will try to lead the clan for six months. But if things get –" Hinata was cut off.

"You'll be okay. You don't need to worry that much." Hanabi took one meat bun.

"Thank you… I think I really shouldn't after all this was what is expected of me since the day I was born." Hinata put her jacket on. "It's cold."

Hinata thought of how she reacted that day. It was shameful. She felt terrible and decided that she really needs to perform well as a leader. She doesn't want to fail not now, not ever. "I just feel nervous. I'm afraid…"

"Don't be. Fear is what keeps you from trying and if you don't try, you fail."

"Do you think I can do it?" Hinata asked.

"As I've said you'll be okay… You'll be fine. Trust me." Hanabi reassured her.

They ate quietly. Then Hinata asked another question. "Should I quit being a ninja?"

"It's up to you." Hanabi answered finishing her snack.

"Well I never liked to be one at first…. But… but as time passed by… I just… I can't understand but I want so badly to go back." Hinata struggled to spit those words out.

"Maybe you should."

"I don't know… Neji-niisan insists that I resign."

"Do you want to follow Neji-niisan's advice? Hinata-neesan you should learn to decide for yourself." Hanabi took a sip from the green tea Hinata brought.

"You're right but I also thought that if I quit I'll be able to be a more functional leader."

"Hinata-neesan… It's really up to you but mind you, your decision will reflect of what really is important to you, your village or you family."

Hinata walked slowly to the lake. "Can it be both?" She looked at her reflection on the water.


A/N: Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine but this fanfic is.

Please leave review and notify me if you want me to continue this story.